CRISTIANO RONALDO, Lionel Messi, and Neymar make up the list of finalists for the 2015 Fifa Ballon d'Or.

Luis Suarez, tipped by many to win the award, failed to make the final as Ronaldo aims to win his third consecutive gong.

The Portuguese having won the last two ended Messi's streak of four consecutive awards: since 2008, when Brazilian Kaka took the trophy, only Andres Iniesta, who finished second in 2010, has broken up the pair's domination of the top two spots.

Neymar's nomination is his first, and means that the list features only players based in Spain once again for the first time since 2012.

2015 Ballon d'Or shortlist

Tue, October 20, 2015

Express Sport brings you the 2015 Ballon d'Or shortlist

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Coach of the year will be contested between Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, and Chile's Jorge Sampaoli, while England coach Mark Sampson is in the running for the women's football equivalent.

The women's Ballon d'Or will go to the Japan's Aya Miyama, Celia Sasic of Germany, or Carli Lloyd, whose six goals powered the USA to World Cup victory over the summer.

The awards are voted on by the the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams of all 207 members of Fifa, as well as a member of the media from each of those members.